Inspired by the Food Network

While drinking our morning coffee in bed, we watched a fantastic episode entitled "Diet Buster" and there was a recipe for pasta carbonara.  I modified it slightly, one because I like rotini (and so does the Pod man) and two because I felt it needed some cream.

We made this and served it with homemade focaccia bread, caesar salad and of course red wine.

Pasta Carbonara

Ingredients

• Salt
• 1/2 pound slab bacon, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
• 1 pound dried rotini 
• 1 whole large egg, plus 2 large egg yolks, at room temperature
• 1 cup grated Parmigiano, plus more for garnish
• 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
• 1/2 cup cream or half & half

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat and salt generously.

Put the bacon in a large high-sided skillet and cook over medium-high heat until crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and reserve bacon in the pan.

When the bacon is about halfway cooked, drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook about 8 to 10 minutes or according to the package instructions.

Meanwhile, whisk the egg and yolks, 1 cup cheese and pepper together in a small bowl.

When the pasta is ready, return the skillet with the bacon to medium heat. Using a ladle, slowly whisk about 1/2 cup pasta cooking water into the egg and cheese mixture until loosened. Reserve some additional cooking water. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet.

While tossing continually, slowly drizzle the egg mixture over the pasta until it is completely coated and add the cream. Add more cooking water if pasta seems dry. Transfer the carbonara to a serving bowl and serve immediately with more cheese sprinkled over the top.

Cook's Note: The key to perfect carbonara is working while everything is piping hot; this assures the egg will cook and produce a silky, creamy sauce that sticks to the pasta.